Caller support coordinator jobs

Central London Samaritans is the biggest of Samaritans branches. Situated in the heart of London, 400 volunteers deliver the Samaritans service round the clock, every day of the year providing support for anyone struggling to cope. Assisted by a small staff team, volunteers manage over 100,000 calls a year, 4,500 face to face visits at branch and respond to over 10,000 email and text contacts.

Central London Samaritans was the founding branch of the Samaritans movement and has a rich history which began in the crypt of St Stephen Walbrook over 70 years ago.

The role of the Volunteer Coordinator is an integral part of branch operations and is the key office role that ensures the branch operates a 24/7 rota, 365 days a year. The post holder is key to ensuring a fit for rota and volunteer support system at CLS.

Main responsibilities and duties

• Keep abreast of volunteering best practice provided by Central Charity and ensuring all required risk assessments are carried out
• Administer and coordinate the rota of volunteers covering every day of the year to ensure the Central London Samaritans operates a 24/7 service for callers. This includes reviewing shift volunteer numbers to ensure volunteers are available for callers in line with national guidance
• Administer new volunteers onto the database and support the placement of new volunteers (New Samaritans) onto shifts
• Provide the volunteer Directorate with accurate information as required by the volunteer Directorate to effectively manage the branch rota
• Support the volunteer Directorate to identify and resolve volunteering issues and work with the Directors to support the management of volunteer engagement and retention; offer first line support that signposts queries and concerns from volunteers
• Support the volunteer Directorate to identify volunteers for other roles including Shift Leader
• Support the volunteer Directorate and signpost volunteers needing to take a ‘Leave of Absence’ to the relevant Director / team. Administer the ‘Leave of Absence’
• Support the volunteer Directorate to organise and resource the recruitment and training of new Shift Leaders
• Oversee and administer the implementation of a volunteer management database at the branch and maintain the database with accurate and up to date information in line with the data protection act
• Provide statistical information to the senior volunteer management team and Centre Management

This job description is neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the duties and responsibilities may vary from time-to-time in light of changing circumstances and in consultation with the jobholder.

Hours of work

The basic hours are 35 hours per week. Within these hours, there may be a need to work some evenings and weekend days, so flexibility is essential. The core responsibilities and duties should be carried out during weekdays.

The amount of out of hours work will be agreed with the Head of Branch Operations on an ongoing basis. Toil (time off in lieu) will be allowed in agreement with the Head of Branch Operations and in line with the current European Working Time Directive.

Limitations

This job description is neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the duties and responsibilities may vary from time-to-time in the lights of changing circumstances and in consultation with the job- holder.

The job-holder will be required to work within the rules and regulations of Samaritans and accept the authority of the Head of Branch Operations, who has discretion to delegate authority to the job-holder and to withdraw it.

Equal Opportunities Policy

Central London Samaritans is committed to eliminating any discrimination and promoting diversity and equality of opportunity in all it does. It is therefore Central London Samaritans' commitment to provide equal opportunities in employment and we will not unlawfully discriminate against job applicants, employees of the Company, volunteers, workers or contract workers on the grounds of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.